New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-26
BUILDING THE CATHEDRAL.
SLOW PROGRESS ON THE BIG PROJECT.
PLACING HONOR WHERE IT Is DUE-MANY RUMoRs
ABOUT MISS wOLFE's PLANS.

ABOUT MISS wOLFEs PLANS.
Tho project OF building new Protestant Episcopai
cathedral in New York originated, perhaps, with
Bishop Horatio Potter He was the Grst, at any
rate, to give the undertaking definite shape, and
It was under his direction chiefly that charter for
cathedral obtained in 1872 from the New-York
Legislature. To him probably were due tho safe
guards put In that charter against too rigid denom
nationasm, tho clauses namely which provided that
the seats in the proposed cathedral should be free to
all corners, and that encouraged offerings In broad
spirit from all Christian sects.
Bishop Potter did not live to sec the big under
taking como TO anything The panic Of 1873 and
tho Impressions after that upset al his calculations
and made ii impossible to enlist much financial sup
PORT when the scheme was uppermost in his mind Tho
trustees who made up the Cathedral Board del away
gradually without making any notion and the chance
TO buy site for the building on the two blocks
between Sixth and Seventh aves., Fiftyseventh and
Fifty ninth sts., which was offered some years ago,
had TO DO declined meeting Of the Board was held
shortly before the Bishops death and the vacancies
filed, but again all action postponed and
the protector OF the work going died. it may
be, in ignorance Of any plans for actually beginning
the vast undertaking.
good deal has been said about Miss WOlfes In
tenton to leave several millions of dollars
for Protestant Episcopal cathedral BY clause In
her Will, aftcrwarl revoked, Miss Wolfe set aside
probably 100000 for cathedral to be named
tho bequest, $3500OO Of the money given to
Grace Church, with the wish that the pews there
might ibe made free. Tho story about her being on
the point Of signing cOdicl TO her will shortly
before her death, In which she 70 give the original
81, 100000 for the wolfe Cathedral to help along
tho new scheme now under way, Is probably pure
fiction.
One OF the details of the story that Miss Wolfe,
with the pen in her hand, was suddenly taken with
fantlng ht and fell back on her pillow unconscious,
and that after that she never recovered conscious
ness on her lawyers authority such codicil
ever drawn and 1t Is fair to presume that Miss
Wolfes git to Grace Church was a final one The
Rev. DR.. Nevn, rector OF the American Chapel at
Rome came home last winter at Miss VOTES request,
business the rector thinks connected with the
cathedral project, but Miss Wolfe then too Ill 70
him, and Ord, in fact but short time after his
arrival.
Bishop Henry G. Potter is now at the head of the
cathedral Board Since his succession to the Bishoprc
Of NewYork he has taken the cathedral project
gctically In hand and he is now the moving spirit.
perhaps, In tho whole matter. His address to the
public on broaching the scheme some four weeks ago
has been considered striking and eloquent piece OF
writing and its effect on the public Immediately
felt. The Bi.h0p has also written pastoral letter
the subject which widely read and copied
In IL the Bishop asked for relief from outside
calls TO give time to general church projects
like the cathedral
Tho Bishops eloquence and influence are well
known, and the supporters of the big project look
for notable increase In subscriptions next fall,
when the wealthy members of the denomination come
back TO town and the results Of q personal summer
canvass In aid Of the cathedral fund DO made
apparent Tho Bishop Will doubtless take some
active steps to push the scheme soon the con-
ventona dead In the schurches is over.
George MaccuilOch Miller l. the secretary OF the
Boarl Of Trustees. He Il warden in st. Thomas 5
Church and prominent layman In this diocese He
Is prosperous lrwycr, the head of the firm OF
Miller, Pcchham & Dixon, with Offices in the Drexe
Hui ling. MI Miller Il stll in town and attends
nearly all the meetings Of tho executive and sub
executive committees. He anu > D. Babcock
special committee TO examine and select a site Tor
the new building MIR. Babcock Is at the head OF a
Illus, ana ltQnd Company IN the Mutual LIE Insurance
Bulclns. lie has gone out OF town, however, Tor
Richard 7. Auchmuty Is the treasurer OF the Bolrd
ment toward raising cathedral fund was begun and
His address treasurer is No 40 Lbertyst., the real
estate Office Of L. J. Carpenter. Mr.. Auchmuty Is
Cornelius Vanderbilt is member Of the Board of
Trustees and Of the executive committee and sub
the cathedral fund While in town he took 4 lively
interest in the scheme and he is expected to be Of
has also subscribed 100000: IIe too, Is member
OF the Board Of Trustees. d. Wills James, Pres
bytcrlan, IS the only outsider so far to give big
mado to the new cathedral Henry MarqHand has been
generous subscriber, and so have Others whose
names are withheld tor the present
priscd u SEQ himself put down the other day In n
morning paper the first canon Of the new cathedral
Dr. Nevin's relation to the Board of Trustees has
boon much confused from the stalt lie has not
resigned the rcctorshlp II the American Chapel at
Rome and viii go back 70 Europe In December He
Was on leave OF absence Il a year In India last WIZ
ter when Mss Wolfc's lctAr called him TO Now-York
lie had become greatly iiteiested in the founding
of a cathedral I'm America, and when Miss Wolf1s be-
quest failed the church he went into the Bishops plans
with enthusiasm, volunteering TO spend the summer
and fall hero IN pushing the project among the differ
eut churches file IL not in the employ Of the Board
OF Trustees and has salary
There has been some talk about difference OF
opinion between High Church PEOPLE and Low Church
people over the building of cathedral, the Low
Church people opposing such move as In the Inter
est OF rltualsm. The report is probably groundless
and was offered. perhaps, rs u possible explanation
Of tho slow progress which the big scheme is now
making. 10 seems more sensible TO put the blame
for tho lack Of Interest shown tho hot weather
and the absence from town of many prominent
church people.